@article{34769,
  author = {Sarah A Berlinger and Bryan D McCloskey and Adam Z Weber},
  title = {Probing Ionomer Interactions with Electrocatalyst Particles in SolutionProbing Ionomer Interactions with Electrocatalyst Particles in Solution},
  abstract = {<p>The interaction between ionomer (ion-conducting polymer) and catalyst particles in porous electrodes of electrochemical-energy-conversion devices is a critical yet poorly understood phenomenon that determines device performance: electrode morphology is controlled by ionomer/particle interactions in precursor inks during electrode formation. In this Letter, we probe the origin of this interaction in inks to unravel the complexities of ionomer/particle adsorption interactions. Quartz-crystal microbalance studies detail ionomer adsorption (with a range of charge densities) to model surfaces under a variety of solvent environments, and isothermal-titration-calorimetry experiments extract thermodynamic binding information to platinum- and carbon-black nanoparticles. Results reveal that under the conditions tested, ionomer binding to platinum is similar to carbon, suggesting that adsorption to platinum-on-carbon catalyst particles in inks is likely dictated mostly by entropic interactions with the carbon surface. Furthermore, water-rich solvents (relative to mixed water/propanol) promote ionomer adsorption. Finally, ionomer dispersions change with time, yielding dynamic binding interactions.</p>},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {ACS Energy Letters},
  pages = {2275 - 2282},
  month = {05/2021},
  issn = {2380-8195},
  doi = {10.1021/acsenergylett.1c0086610.1021/acsenergylett.1c00866.s001},
  language = {eng},
}